Chicken Boy by France O'Roark Dowell

Chicken Boy

France O'Roark Dowell

Genre: Realistic fiction and animals

Summary: Basically, a boy comes out of his shell because of chickens.  Really.  He does.

Review: I know what you are thinking...  "What a stupid idea for a book."  But it's good, really! I love that he makes friends and his life starts looking better.  I would say: 3.75 out of 5 stars!

This book reminds me of The Big Nothing



Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not

Coleen Murtagh Paratore

Genre: Realistic fiction, friendship, and growing up

Summary: Willa works at her parents Cape Cod bed and breakfast.  During this particular summer, she encounters some friendship problems that she needs to deal with - basically, how do you deal with "outgrowing" your friends and boyfriend issues?  And lets not forget wedding planning!

Rating: 3 out of 5 Ok, I'll admit, I had trouble getting into this book, but others really, really love it!  Give it a try!



The Maze of Bones

(39 Clues... book 1)

Rick Riordan

Public Service Announcement:  If you have not read the 39 Clues yet, get off the computer and go get the first book.  Its. That. Good.

Ok... I can get on with the review now.

Genre: Adventure, suspense

Summary: This first book sets up the series of 39 books written by the best authors around.  Basically several loosely related families set out on an adventure to find clues that is a very important, world-changing puzzle.  But... the families are competing against each other and don't exactly like each other.  In fact, they try to kill the main characters. (Um, small problem, right?)

Review: Woo-hoo a 5 out of 5!  Adventure - around the world adventure.  Does it get any better??

The Big Nothing

The Big Nothing

by Adrian Fogelin



Genre: Realistic Fiction, friendship, parents getting divorced

Summary: Justin has a ton of stuff to deal with: his dad leaving his mom and his brother going off to war.  But at the same time, he has to figure out what to do when you like a girl and what do when lose your best friend. 

Review: This book does a great job of showing the feelings and frustrations of Justin.  You really cheer for him and feel his heart break.  I think this is a great book if you like books that mostly explore every day life and aren't looking for someone to chase you!!  I give this book a 4 out of 5 - even though there isn't any "edge of your seat" action!  (Even though the main character is a guy... I think this is more for girls!)

Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulson

Whoops!  Has it really been 2 weeks since I've posted new books??  My apologies... I won't let it happen again (until the next time it happens)

Notes from the Dog

Gary Paulsen

Picture is coming

Genre: Realistic Fiction... growing up

Summary: Dylan is really shy and over the summer ends up coming out of his shell thanks to his next door neighbor.  Dylan tries to help her as she helps him.

Just so ya' know... this is the same author as Hatchet and Lawn Boy.  This book is nothing like Hatchet and has the same "feel" as Lawn Boy.

Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5.  It's an easy read that doesn't jump all over the place.  But as you probably know, I like plot twists and edge of your seat action.  Not so much in this book - but a good story and a few tears!

This book reminds me of Forget Me Not.

How To Steal a Car

How To Steal A Car

Pete Hautman

Summary:  A fifteen year old girl became addicted to stealing cars! Yes, she's addicted.  She's not really sure why she likes to steal cars, she just does!

Review: This is one of those books where you are waiting for something bad to happen... because you just know it's not going to be good... But I won't tell you what if/what it is!! 

I give this book a 4 out of 5... it's pretty good but not as good as I expected!

This book reminds me of...  I'm not really sure!  What does it remind YOU of?



The Great Wide Sea by M H Herlong

The Great Wide Sea by M H Herlong

Genre: Action, Adventure, Survival, and WHOA!

Summary: A dad and his three sons are mourning the deat of their mom.  Dad decides to buy a boat and go on a year-long sailing adventure around the Bahamas.  but what happens when they are gone is mind-blowing craziness... lost a sea, missing person, insane storm, the whole works!

Review: Great book!!!  You won't be able to put it down and do not, I repeat, do NOT read the last chapter ahead of time. The tension between the dad and the oldest son is realistic and you will just be hooked!

I give this a five out of five.  And it reminds me of The Young Man and the Sea (but WAY more action).

Peak by Roland Smith

Peak by Roland Smith

Genre: Adventure, outdoorsy, and perfect for guys and girls

Summary: Peak Marcello was arrested for climbing a building in New York City and the judge deciedes to send him with his father - who happens to be a mountain climber! Peak gets the opportunity to climb the most dangerous mountain... EVEREST! Many people who attempt to climb never make it - does Peak?

Review: Awesome book! Once you get past the first 50 pages or so, you won't be able to put it down! The stuff he encounters is crazy...

I give it a five out of five!

This book reminds me of Everest by Gordon Korman and Cryptid Hunters by Roland Smith

The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm

The Revealers

by Doug Wilhelm

Genre: Realistic Fiction, friendship and surviving middle school

Summary: Three loners who are tired of being picked on join forces to expose bullying. However, not everyone - including the principal (!) - are not happy about their project.

Review: I really liked this book because it offers a solution to bullying  - although I am not sure how it could be duplicated.  I think it helps kids to know that their situation is not unique and kids will be able to relate to the characters.  I give this book a 4.5 out of 5.  (It took me a little while to really get into it - but once I did... I wanted to see the outcome!)

This book reminds me of: Emma Jean Lazarusu books and Carlos Is Gonna Get It

Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline Cooney

Diamonds in the Shadow

by Caroline Cooney

Genre: Action, adventure, on the edge of your seat thriller!

Summary: Imagine having to share your house (and especially your room!) to a family of refugees from Africa! Everything seems wrong and unfair to Jared.  But when the family arrives, instead of getting better, things just seem to be even stranger! And... it only gets crazier!!

Review: I. love. this. book.  I did not want to put it down - the characters were so vivid and the action was intense.  I loved how the family from Africa was described and how they adapted to our culture. I give this book a 5 out of 5. Read it.  Now!

This book reminds me of I,Q. by Roland Smith, Steel Trapp by Ridley Pearson and Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan



Under the Banyan Tree by Toni De Palma

Under the Banyan Tree

by Toni De Palma



Genre: Realistic fiction and most likely for girls...

Summary: A girl runs away from home and ends up working at an old hotel that needs to be saved from money problems.  Things don't go as planned and this might not end up being her new home.

Review: This book is pretty good and the ending is a bit surprising.  I wish the story moved a little faster, but...  I give this a 3 out of 5.

I am not sure what it reminds me of... what does it remind you of?

Dodger and Me by Jordan Sonnenblick

Dodger and Me

by Jordan Sonnenblick

Genre: Humor and fantasy (sort of... Real character plus a blue chimpanzee that talks)

Summary: A nerdy, wimpy kid with an over-protective mom finds a "genie" that can't really grant wishes, but fulfills "heart's desires".  This genie happens to be a blue chimpanzee and needless to say, they go on some crazy adventures.

Review: If you like goofy, silly books.  This one is for you! I am curious to hear what you have to say about this one... so leave a comment!



15 Minutes by Steve Young

15 Minutes

by Steve Young

Genre: Guy book (kind of - girls would like it too), fantasy (kind of - realistic characters but fantasy type of plot) and humor

Summary: A kid finds a watch that lets him go back in time by 15 minutes. Casey uses this automatic "do-over" to impress the girls and in sports.  But sometimes, the watch has a mind of it's own...

Review:  I liked this book and I like how he comes around and figures out if the watch is a good thing or a bad thing.  This book is a pretty easy read and has some "oh, funny!" parts.  Overall, I give it a 4 out of 5.

I am not sure what this book reminds me of! Maybe Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen because it is the same type of humor, but the plots are completely different.



Young Man and the Sea

Young Man and the Sea

Rodman Philbrick

Genre: Adventure, realistic fiction, good book for guys or girls

Summary: Skiff's mom died.  His dad is depressed.  His boat is broken and the repairs are very expensive. So... what's a boy to do? He tries to earn the money to fix his boat, but keeps coming up against obstacles.  He hears about catching blue fin tuna and the huge amount of money you can get from them.  But... his "big" boat is broken...  How in the world will he catch a tuna without a big boat?  Read on to find out...

Review: At first I struggled to get into the book, but it is worth the slow start for the action at the end! I can not imagine being in his shoes and the obstacles he faces.  CRAZY! If you like books that leave you on the edge of your seat, then this one is for you.  And... you don't have to love fishing to like this book.

I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5!

Also, this book reminds me of Red Kayak  and Diamonds in the Shadows

Silk Umbrellas by Leanne Marsden

Silk Umbrellas by Leanne Marsden

Imagine if you had to work in a radio factory with tiny parts... day in and day out! It's not hard for Noi to imagine... and dread!

Genre: Realistic fiction, international (Thailand)

Summary: Noi’s sister has to work in the radio factory and Noi does not want the same fate.  Will her art save her?

Review: This is a sweet book and shows an insight into life in rural Thailand.  I really liked the main character and thought she was very "real" in her worries and struggles.  I could feel her emotions - but wasn't dragged into it with a lot of detail. It read pretty quickly, but don't expect action and adventure!

Rating: 4 out of 5 because I like the story line and it moves quickly.

This book reminds me of Clay Marble.

Purge by Sarah Darer Littman

Purge by Sarah Darer Littman

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Summary: Janie hates throwing up, but she still binges and then throws up several times a day.  She ends up in a recovery program and must discover the underlying reasons for her bulemia.  But in the middle of all this, she has to survive the conflicts between the Barfers and the Starvers and the new friendships...

Review: This was a really good book! I love how you can identify with Janie and you can't believe the actions she takes - and you can't believe what the others girls do! I give this a four out of five! (I'm a tough critic!)

I'm having a hard time coming up with books like this one.  It gets pretty deep into issues and the topic is pretty intense!

First Boy by Gary Schmidt

First Boy by Gary Schmidt

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Summary: Cooper lives by himself on a dairy farm after his grandpa dies.  Imagine trying to milk cows everyday before school and every evening before bed! Then, he is dragged into a political scandal whent hings start happening to his farm.  cooper has to stand up for himself and make clear whose first boy he really is.

Review: This book is pretty good and has a little bit of action.  I'm really amazed at the ending and how the pieces seem to come together.  I also wonder if I would make the same decisions that Cooper does. 

I gave this book a 3 out of 5 because it took a little bit of effort to really get into it.  There is some action and unbelievable tricks.

This book reminds me of... Adam Canfield of the Slash.

Perfect by Natasha Friend

Perfect by Natasha Friend

Genre: Realistic fiction, friendship, and chick-lit

Summary: Isabelle Lee is in an eating disorder group therapy and becomes friends with the most popular girl in school.  But Isabelle must figure out if this new popularity is worth it and how to deal with her family's issues.

Review:  Natasha Friend does a great job of putting you in the characters' shoes.  You can easily feel the struggles of Isabelle.  I also like how she identifies how impossible it is to be perfect in this crazy world! This is a great book if you like to get inside a character's head and really feel what she feels.

I give this book a five out of five! (But I think it's definitely "chick lit")

If you like this book... You will also like Natasha Friends' other books Bounce and Lush.  You will also like Purge by Sarah Litman

Steel Trap ~ The Challenge by Ridley Pearson

Steel Trapp by Ridley Pearson

Before I even begin, let me just say... I'm finally reviewing a five out of five book!

Genre: Adventure, suspense, and great for guys

Summary: Two kids end up in the middle of an international plot of kidnapping and bribery that might have links to terrorism. 

Review: Action, action, action.  Suspsense, suspense, suspense.  You will not be able to put this book down. You won't believe what Steel and his friend do... and it all revolves around a simple science fair project!

I definitely give this book a five out of five!

If you liked I,Q. by Roland Smith, you will like this book!  Another good adventure book, but not the spy thriller is Jack's Run and Zach's Lie by Roland Smith

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Genre: Realistic fiction, adventure, and environmental

Summary: Two friends try to figure out who started a fire int he Black Vine Swamp and what happened to their "unliked" teacher.

Review: I thought this book was pretty good.  I love the characters and how you realize the truth about characters.  This story seems to have two separate plots that come together in the end.  The story has action and adventure, but not really "on the edge of your seat" action.  This book takes place in Collier County, so it's cool to read a "Florida" book!

I give this book a four out of five.  I think it has to be a "can't put this down" kind of book to get 5 stars.

This book reminds me of... Holes by Luis Sachar because of the two plots coming together and action.

Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Genre: Realistic Fiction and Friendship ("Chick-Lit")

Summary: Jamie/Jamilah has to figure out if she wants to keep her Lebanese-Muslim background hidden or if she wants to keep working at being invisible.

Review:  I really like this book because I can totally relate to Jamie.  She struggles at home with her overprotective dad and she struggles at school to not be teased.  Her "balancing act" seems so common to middle schoolers! There never is a ton of action, but the book moves pretty quickly.  I give it a four out of five stars for being pretty good!

This book reminds me of... Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian

Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick

Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick

Genre: Realisitic Fiction and Friendship

Summary: San moves to a new school for the umpteenth time, he is looking for a way to stand out when his knowledge of Zen Buddhism provides the answer! He quickly needs to become a convincing Zen master... 

Review:  I thought this book was pretty good - who can't relate to trying to reinvent themselves! I liked the lessons that San learned and how he avoided "problems".  Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.  There wasn't a lot of "on the edge of your seat action" and it was easy to put it down for the day, so while I thought it was pretty good - I didn't think it was EXCELLENT!

This book reminds me of... Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass and Schooled by Gordon Korman

Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian

Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian

Genre: Realistic Fiction and Friendship

Summary: Emily goes to summer camp for high school students who are interested in art.  Emily has to deal with making new friends, figuring out who she wants to be, and how her old life fits into her current life.

Review: This is a great book about growing up and following your own interests.  The characters are realistic and fit the story line.  I give it four out of five stars because it took a little while to get into the book. 

If you like this book, you might also enjoy Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abel-Fattah

The Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings

The Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings

Genre: Realistic Fiction amd a good book for guys

Summary: Brady loves life on the Chesapeake Bay with his friends J.T. and Digger. But developers and rich families are moving into the area, and while Brady befriends some of them, like the DiAngelos, his parents and friends are bitter about the changes.  Tragedy strikes when the DiAngelos' kayak overturns in the bay, and Brady wonders if it was more than an accident. Soon, Brady discovers the terrible truth behind the kayak's sinking, and must decide what to do with this information.

Review: I loved this book once I got into it.  The action picks up and I really wondered what Brady was going to do with the secret he is keeping.  The ending is a surprise and the there is a good moral message! 

On a scale from 1 to 5, I give it a 4 because it took a little while to get into it.  This book is worth reading for the ending!

If you like this book, you might also like: Adam Canfield of the Slash by Michael Winerip, The Young Boy and the Sea by W. Philbrick and No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

The Purpose

The purpose of this blog is to share our opinions of books that we are reading.  Check back every two or three days to see what book we are discussing!